Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Did you wash?” I ask him.
He looks at me, perusing up and down my body at his leisure, then nods. “You were taking forever, so I went into the stable and washed in the watering trough.”
I blink at him. “You… what?” I’m confused. “Did you just say you washed yourself in a stable water trough?”
This makes him laugh. And his face brightens, making him appear so human. Especially when he’s missing those wings of his. “Do you picture me living like a god, Callistina? Washing myself in golden tubs filled with flower bubbles?” His smile drops and his scorn is back. “I was banished. Believe me when I say that I have washed myself in many a stable in my day.”
“Of course,” I mutter, a little bit transfixed by him, but also a little bit scared. He’s been amicable to me on this journey, but it would be a mistake to assume that tolerance equals affection. Because it doesn’t. Never mind the curse from that damn woman Pressia he’s so obsessed with, he has been cursed by every god in the realms. He will never love anyone. Ever.
That is just how it is meant to be.
He blows out a breath. Like his temper was about to get the best of him and he’s reining it back in. “Sorry. You just… took too long and…” He sighs again. “It’s not a big deal to wash in the stable.”
Then he turns his back to me and walks into the bedroom.
I let out a breath, relief flooding through me when he’s gone, then walk over to the lovely divan couch and I’m just about to sit when he calls my name.
“Callistina, sleep in here, please.”
I wilt. It was fine sleeping back-to-back with him last night because there was just the one saddle blanket and I needed his warmth. But I don’t want to sleep with him.
Actually, now that I’ve admitted this, I don’t want him around at all. I would very much like for him to just… fuck off, as they say in the foggy little town of Savage Falls. To walk back through that door and leave me here to make my own way. Make my own future.
This is what I want.
A second chance that doesn’t involve a man I am forced to be with, or a throne, or clothes, for that matter.
I’m so done trying to pass as human. I’m over it.
I want to be me. The whole entire me.
The gryphon chimera before she was a queen.
Before she was turned into ‘that poor girl’s sister.’
“Callistina!” He roars it this time. “Get in here.”
I could object, but why should I give away the knowledge of my discontent? He will just thwart me if I do that. He will find ways to stop me, I know this. He wants to go home and he needs me to do that.
Besides, the reason he wants me to sleep with him is so he can be sure that I don’t leave the inn while he’s resting. He just wants… peace of mind.
So I go in to the bedroom and get in bed next to him, and turn my back to his, and rest my head on the pillow, and I begin to make a plan.
I cannot outwit this god. He’s too powerful.
But I can make an even trade.
If I find a way to send him back alone, perhaps he will let me stay here in Glory Rome.
“Would you like to know what I think is funny?” Eros half turns so he’s looking over his shoulder at me. And when I turn to look over my shoulder, I find his eyes are almost glowing in the dark. A very unnatural shade of green.
I shrug. “Sure. Why not. What’s so funny?”
“That you just… give in to them.”
“To who?” There’s a little bit of surprise in my voice.
“Everyone.”
I scoff. “OK. Thank you for letting me know. That’s hilarious.”
“They cut off your antlers, Callistina. And you just… don’t care, do you? You like this city? This city that hates you? That would kill you, and have no regrets, just because you may or may not be wearing chains that resemble clothing?”
“No. You’ve missed the point entirely.”
“Then explain it to me.” He turns all the way over now. “Because right now, I hate you. So much. Because you’re a weak piece of shit. And you know what? It’s disappointing. I like insane Callistina better than you. Maybe she was walking round town wearing fake antlers and a mangy leopard coat, but at least she had a purpose. And a fucking spine.”
My mouth flew open the moment he called me a piece of shit. So it’s still hanging open when I turn my body to face him. I’m not from his foggy little curse town, but I’ve heard all the swear words while I was there and this is… a… a trashy insult. One I take exception to. “Excuse me?”